Throughout the games, spectators and judges will gape at every judo foot sweep, swing of an oar row, gymnast flip and poolside plunge: all extraordinary feats that exemplify how people use sports to show their fullest potential.

Now more than ever, new faces will be visible in Brazil, which is the first South American nation to host the games. This year's Olympics will have the most openly LGBT athletes competing and refugees are competing for the first time.

For those whose legacies are in the making, these mesmerizing photos capture moments where their Olympic spirit burned brightest.

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Mesmerizing Photos From Rio Olympics 2016

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August 21, 2016: Samba dancers perform on a float in the 'Cidade Maravilhosa' portion of the Closing Ceremony.

Aug. 2, 2016: A Sao Goncalo fan takes to the street to celebrate Olympics athletes landing down in Rio.

April 27, 2016: Olympic athletes from the South Korean Badminton team.

July 28, 2016: Syrian refugee and Olympic swimmer Rami Anis training ahead of the Rio Olympics. His uncle, who was a swimmer representing Syria, inspired Anis to dive into competitive swimming.
Anis competes as a stateless athlete with the Olympic Refugee Athletes team.

July 28, 2016: Russian Olympic athletes posing for a selfie at Sheremetyevo International Airport before boarding for a ride to Rio.
So far, 110 of 387 athletes on Russia's Olympic team have been banned, following a national doping scandal. The International Olympic Committee ruled in favour of allowing Russia's team to compete.